PHOTOS: 6th Annual Chale Wote festival, Artists take over Ghana's street
20th August 2016
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The streets of Ghana's capital have been alive with artistic talent, from photography and graffiti to live music and DJ sets, its day five of the annual cultural festival:
The annual Chale Wote Street Art Festival is taking place in Accra's historic James Town district - with the Nugbor Ye Djen Acrobatic Group proving a big hit with the younger generation. More than 200 artists and performers are taking part. This performance piece, called African Resurrect, provided some high-concept food for thought. Creativity of any kind is what counts for those wanting to take part. Here, artists from South Africa and Ghana teamed up to paint a mural on this run-down hotel. It is also a chance for residents to enjoy themselves. Here, girls take a break from the art to play Ampe, a traditional Ghanaian children's game. James Town is also the heart of Ghana's boxing heritage, with many taking up the sport from a young age. One of the main themes of this year's festival was "Africa Electronics" embraced by Steloo, one of Ghana's biggest DJs pictured here before playing his set. It also inspired people to create their own futuristic masks. Some of the artists painted for onlookers. The colonial-era James Town lighthouse provided a popular subject. The festival, which is in its sixth year, extends to the city centre, where children perform a ritual as part of the Homowo harvest festival. The Ga community, the traditional residents of Accra, take part in the event, with a chief sprinkling food as part of a prayer ceremony to encourage a bountiful harvest.